Vrbice [English translation]

Little willow, green willow, green willow,

(On St. George’s Day,1 why have you flowered early?)

Why have you flowered early, green willow?2

(On St. George’s Day, didn’t you have any worries?)

Didn’t you have any worries, green willow?

(On St. George’s Day, I had a shepherd boy.)

I had a shepherd boy, green willow.

(On St. George’s Day, I waited for him till midnight.)

I waited for him till midnight, green willow.

(On St. George’s Day, from midnight on I slept.)

Little willow, green willow, green willow,

(On St. George’s Day, why have you flowered early?)

Why have you flowered early, green willow?

(On St. George’s Day, didn’t you have any worries?)

Didn’t you have any worries, green willow?

(On St. George’s Day, I had a shepherd boy.)

I had a shepherd boy, green willow.

(On St. George’s Day, I waited for him till midnight.)

I waited for him till midnight, green willow.

(On St. George’s Day, from midnight on I slept.)

1. An important traditional holiday for South Slavs, marking the beginning of spring.2. A metaphor for: Why have you woken up early, young girl?

• Artist:Laboratorium Pieśni